I was wondering how bad it would be to use flat washers as a wheel spacer, i know im better off buying wheel spacers or a new set of wheels but i can't afford them right now. thanks for any help.

 

FAIL Welcome to the site though!

 

X2, and Welcome to CF!

 

Check Craigslist. Might find what you need on there.

 

Ya you can pick a set of 15x8 steel wheels w/4.75 back spacing up on CL for around $150-$200!

 

i never thought about just buying plain steelies

 

Check Summit Racing. I got a set of 15x8 soft 8s for like $160 or so out the door.

 

Please don't use washers.

 

agreed washers would be highly dangerous and very unecesary

 

lol do it and report back!

 

I think trying to mount your wheels backwords would be safer then washers

 

A lot of "No, Don't do it" replies and one feeble attempt at humor telling the poor guy to do it (shame on you!!!)....and not a single explaination as to why. Come on folks, help the OP out, he's here to learn.

Wheel spacers are built to tight tolerances and are also Hubcentric. This means that the hole in the center is exactly that, centered on the hub. Any deviation and the wheel/tire would be off-axis in relation to the centerline of the axleshaft. This, besides being extremely dangerous even at moderate speeds, would destroy your axle in a very short amount of time.

Using washers means your wheel will no longer be located properly on the wheel mounting surface (WMS) with regards to concentricity and you would also reduce the amount of useable threads on the wheel studs.

 

washers NO Wheel spacers YES...
Reason washers dont work..is if you look.. most steel rims are dimpled were the lug nut sets..so the backside of that does not sit flush with the hub... INbetween the studs is were the rim sits flush or flat with hub..The hubcenter usally centers rim.. but with aftermarket rims and universal bolt patterns... the hub is not always the same size...Why you never ever ever.... tighten a wheel up untill all the nuts are on and SNUG... then and only then tighten them...
You can use a spacer like these...and the lip on the axel should still center the hub..but you can only go like 1/4 inch..

but only with caution...dont go to thick and make sure you have plenty of thread... rule of thumb any bolt should thread in a hole 1.5 x the width so a 1/2 bolt should screw in a MIN of 3/4 of a inch... so same works for lug nuts...

 

thanks for your help

 

seriuosly he needs an explanation? give me a break. this was a stupid thought and would end dangerously. OP needed to really think about his idea before he posted such an idiotic question.......